Few secondary schools show at Science, Technology Fair

While officials are pleased with the turnout of primary schools in the National Science and Technology Fair, only five of the nation’s 26 secondary schools participated this year.{{more}}

Amaala Muhammad, an officer of the Curriculum Unit, expressed her disappointment with the lack of participation by secondary schools, saying that the fair is an important event.

“We really would have to look seriously at developing that culture of science and technology, not just within our school system, but in the wider society,” Muhammad told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday.

Juanita Hunte-King, president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Science Teachers’ Association, also shared similar sentiments.

“We see this as a great area of concern, and we would like to see the numbers start to increase for next science fair,” the president said.

However, she commended the variety and quality of projects that were presented by the participating secondary schools.

“We had a few creative, innovative projects that I think should really go to reach higher heights than our local science fair,” Hunte-King said.

Second form student of St Vincent Grammar School Noel Adams showcased his project on seafood and what he thinks is a healthier choice for Vincentians.

Adams explained that the poultry imported into the country contains many chemicals such as steroid hormones and roxarsone.

“Even though they kill the chicken, the chemical still remains in the meat, so the same thing it does to the chicken, it does to us,” the young man explained.

“It makes the chicken bigger and fatter and it does the same to us, which is a cause of obesity.”

The youngster stressed the importance of making the healthy choices and choosing seafood, because not only does it help to support the local divers, but it will also lower the country’s import bill.

He also said that seafood is beneficial to the brain, as it is a good source of omega 3 and fatty acids.

“I think if we eat more seafood, we will live longer, and it will be better for us,” Adams said.

Bryanna Hadaway of the Girls’ High School illustrated her project on geothermal energy with the use of attractive models.

The fifth form student said that she chose to do a project on geothermal energy because of the talk of implementing geothermal energy in St Vincent.

“This is more applicable to St Vincent…we are a volcanic island and that is already a source of heat,” she said.

Her models showcased geothermal energy on both a domestic and commercial scale.

She also listed some advantages and disadvantages of using geothermal energy.

“Its clean, its sustainable, its renewable, lower cost to use…” she explained for the advantages.

Some disadvantages listed included the cost of maintaining equipment and the cost to study and examine areas to see best sources of geothermal energy.

Hadaway also said that it is limited in the sense that not all areas in St. Vincent are suited for geothermal energy.

“You have to find specific spots which would be wise and just in general, take advantage to harness as much energy as possible,” she said.

Many other interesting and educational projects were displayed at the science fair from the secondary schools.

These included a project on “Shapes” by the Bequia Community High School; “The effect of household products on bacteria” by the St Vincent Grammar School and “Caffeine and Typing Speed” by the Thomas Saunders Secondary School.

“We have great scientific thinkers in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Hunte-King commented. “Their skills need to be honed and developed”.

The five secondary schools that took part in the science fair are the Girls’ High School, the St Vincent Grammar School, Thomas Saunders Secondary School, Bequia Community High School and West St George Secondary School.

St Mary’s Roman Catholic School, Kingstown Preparatory School, Windsor Primary School and Sugar Mill Inn Primary School were included in the primary school category.

The judging of both primary and secondary schools projects took place on Wednesday and Thursday and the winners will be announced today, the final day of the fair.(BK)